Havering Skip Hire - Health and Safety Policy

Havering Skip Hire is committed to maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and welfare for all employees, contractors and members of the public who may be affected by our skip hire and rubbish removal activities. This policy sets out how our skip hire service, waste collection operations and associated site work are planned and managed to minimise risk. The purpose is to ensure legal compliance and to promote a positive safety culture across our rubbish company service area. Safety is a core value and underpins every task we undertake.

We will ensure that all operational activities, from delivery and collection of skips to transfer and handling of waste, are conducted in a controlled manner. Responsibilities are allocated to named roles within the business and all staff are provided with the resources, training and supervision required to perform their duties safely. Hazard recognition and ongoing risk assessment are central to how we plan routes, site placements and waste segregation to protect drivers, loaders, contractors and the general public.

Our objectives include: reduction of accidents and incidents; minimising environmental impact from waste handling; ensuring safe vehicle movements in public areas; and maintaining secure, well-signposted work zones. We expect robust adherence to safe systems of work in every element of our skip hire and rubbish clearance operations. This document describes our approach to risk management, personal protective equipment (PPE), training, emergency response and continuous improvement.

Organisation and Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for health and safety rests with senior management who will ensure that:

• Risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly;
• Safe systems of work are developed for deliveries, collections and waste handling;
• Appropriate PPE and safety equipment is provided and maintained;
• All incidents, near misses and hazards are reported and investigated.

Line managers and supervisors are responsible for day-to-day implementation, including ensuring staff competence, supervising contractors and verifying that site-specific controls are applied. Employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety, follow instructions, use provided safety equipment and report unsafe conditions promptly. Cooperation and communication across teams and with third parties is essential to reduce harm during skip placement, loading and transportation.

We operate a clear permit-to-work and site assessment procedure for locations where skips are placed on public highways, private property or industrial premises. This includes consideration of pedestrian flow, vehicle access, overhead obstructions, underground services and visibility. When necessary, we establish traffic management measures and use appropriate signage and barriers to protect workers and the public.

Risk Control Measures and Safe Working Practices

Key control measures include: pre-use vehicle checks, secure loading and tipping procedures, segregation of hazardous materials, and safe manual handling techniques. Our skip hire teams are trained in correct lifting methods, use of mechanical aids and in recognising waste that requires special handling (e.g., asbestos, contaminated soils, chemical containers). We will not accept waste streams for collection if they present an uncontrolled hazard; instead, we will advise on safe disposal routes.

Emergency preparedness covers spill response, fire safety, first aid provision and evacuation procedures. Staff receive training in immediate actions and reporting protocols. All incidents are recorded and analysed to identify root causes and to prevent recurrence. We conduct routine inspections, toolbox talks and refresher training to ensure everyone remains competent in safe working practices for the skip hire and rubbish collection sector.

Our vehicle and driver safety programme emphasises compliance with driving hours, secure loading, vehicle stability, and minimising roadside risk during drop-off and pick-up operations. Vehicles are maintained to industry standards and checked daily for brakes, lights, securing mechanisms and other critical systems. Contractors used by the business are required to meet the same health and safety expectations and to demonstrate suitable insurances and safe operating procedures.

Monitoring, performance measurement and regular review are essential elements of this policy. We set measurable targets, conduct safety audits and use incident trends to inform training and procedural changes. This policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever there are changes to operations, legislation, or following a significant incident. Continuous improvement ensures our skip hire operations and rubbish disposal activities become safer over time.

In addition to complying with applicable statutory requirements, Havering skip hire and related waste services commit to the following principles: proactive hazard control, clear communication of risk, effective training and supervision, and responsible management of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. We emphasise a collaborative approach with clients and site managers to ensure safe access and to respect site-specific rules while delivering efficient rubbish clearance.

Signed for and on behalf of the company: This policy is endorsed by senior management and is available to staff, subcontractors and relevant stakeholders. All personnel are encouraged to contribute to safety discussions and to raise concerns. Adherence to this policy protects people, property and the environment while enabling safe, reliable skip hire, waste collection and rubbish removal across our service area.